London Kids Weekend Scoop (June 26-29, 2025)

The capital is heating up again with some exciting London weekend family activities on offer: from a giant stampede of life-sized animals touring the city to pop-up festivals, puppet making, outdoor theatre and a big birthday party at Jacksons Lane. I’ll be celebrating my late father (lots of cake eating in June) and making the most of the sunshine and good times. Happy weekend!

12 Terrific London Weekend Family Activities for All Ages

Thu-Fri: Tiny Tales Takeover festival at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Come and play at Discover’s very first early years festival. It’s a jamboree for babies, toddlers and preschoolers with music and story building, sensory show Oaker, short talks from the Baby Development Lab by University of East London, Chickenshed Theatre’s new show Spots and Stripes, and time to explore the Hairy Maclary trail and dog-care cafe installation. Best for ages 0-4 and grownups. 10am-12pm; £0-£10pp/discounts for groups of 4 – entry ticket gives a full day of festival fun, additional activities bookable under £5 (Jun 23-27)

Thu-Sun: Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition,  Immerse LDN at Excel, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL
LAST CHANCE: Discover the Boy Wonder’s life and times in ancient Egypt at this immersive exhibition. All ages welcome, but Metaverse and VR elements recommended for ages 5+. Timed slots 9am-6pm daily (90 minute experience); adult £25/child 4-15 £19.50/family £23.50pp/under 4s FREE (until Jun 29)

Fri-Sun: Let’s Build at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
LAST CHANCE: Join two curious builders who want to get the job done, except they’ve never built anything before. Watch as they explore objects, textures and materials using what they have to create wonders of the imagination. Ages 2-5. 1.30pm (Fri), 10.30am & 1.30pm (Sat-Sun); from £14 (until Jun 29)

Fri-Sun: The Herds in London, various London locations
The Herds is a breathtaking production that’s bringing life-size animal puppets on a 20,000km odyssey across the globe, from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle. It’s part public art, part climate action statement from the creators of The Walk with Little Amal. Follow their intrepid journey, as the gigantic herd stampedes from Tower Bridge to The Scoop at More London with Unicorn Theatre (Fri 10am), and onto Soho and Somerset House (Fri 27); then across Coram’s Fields and over to Camden and St James’ Park (Sat 28); before heading to Westfield Stratford and meeting dancers from Sadler’s Wells en route to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Sun 29). Visit the website to find individual times and appearances. All ages; FREE (Jun 27-29)

Sat: Puppet Making Workshop with The Herds at Sadler’s Wells East, off Stratford Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2AR (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
As part of The Herds global tour (see above), kids and families are invited to a puppet-making workshop at Sadler’s Wells East on The Dance Floor foyer. You’ll join the team to make your own crafts and add your contribution to this extraordinary roaming herd. Come with a small plastic bottle and a brown paper bag. All ages. 11.30am-1pm; FREE (Jun 29)

Sat: As You Like It: East London Shakespeare Festival at Alexandra Palace, Outdoor Learning Area, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
Experience the Bard’s comedy of hidden and mistaken identities in the gorgeous setting of Alexandra Park. Blending slapstick, romance, high-energy tunes and audience participation, this is Shakespeare for everyone. A festival atmosphere means gates opening an hour before showtime, pre-show craft workshops for kids and BYO picnics welcomed (brollies for sun or rain encouraged). Ages 3+. Doors 2pm/show 3pm-5.15pm & Doors 6.30pm/show 7.30pm-9.45pm; adult £16.50/child under 16 £12.50 (Jun 28)

Sat: Wandsworth Family Pride at Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ Queenstown rail/Battersea Park tube)
Celebrate Pride month at this colourful day of family fun, supporting Wandsworth’s LGBTQ+ community. Battersea Park will host a mix of live performances, music stage, stalls, bouncy castle, fairground rides, soft play, face painting and DJ set. All ages welcome. 11am-5pm; FREE (Jul 6)

Sat: Just Vibez: We Have a Bus on the Road at 1 Shoreditch Street, E1 6QR (Shoreditch High St overground)
Last week, they hit the streets of Notting Hill/Portobello Road. This Saturday, the Just Vibez crew are bringing their bus party to Shoreditch (around Brick Lane). Bring carnival cups and something to sip (ice provided) and get down to some Soca, Dancehall and a mix of party tunes. RSVP via Eventbrite essential. Kids and all welcome – wear appropriate shoes & clothes as this bus is on the move! 5pm-7.30pm; FREE (Jun 28)

Sun: Noughts and Crosses at Regent’s Park, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
The stage show of Malorie Blackman’s bestselling YA novel is revived in an exciting adaptation by Dominic Cooke. Callum and Sephy are secret lovers in a divided world, can they bridge the gaps? This epic tale explores race and separatism through a love story that echoes Romeo & Juliet. Best for ages 14+. 7.45pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.15pm (Thu & Sat from Jul 5); adult £15-£58 (Jun 28-Jul 26)

Sun: FUSE International Festival, multiple venues around Kingston upon Thames
The FUSE festival is back with an eclectic lineup of music, arts, spoken word, circus, dance and more creative talent from the UK and worldwide. Experience 80+ events over 10 days including: history and heroism for kids in Action Through the Ages (Jun 28), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Jul 2), Circus in Paris (Jul 4) and The Great Shoe Heist (Jul 7). Various times and prices, check age guidance for events at booking. (Jun 28-Jul 6)

Sun: The Wind in the Willows at Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA (Putney Bridge tube)
Bring a picnic (or buy one on ground) and settle down in the walled garden. You’ll watch an enchanting outdoor performance of the beloved children’s story by Kenneth Grahame. See Ratty, Mole, Badger and the irrepressible Toad get up to their hijinks with vibrant costumes, catchy songs and laughs a-plenty. Best for ages 4+. 2pm-3.45pm; adult from £20/child 3-16 from £14/family from £56/babies FREE (Jun 29)

Sun: Let’s All Dance: Puss In Boots at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
The company behind shows like Alice in Wonderland, The Nutcracke and more perform this shortened version of a classic ballet for kids. Loosely based on the original by Charles Perrault, Let’s All Dance Ballet Company’s take on the friendship between a magical cat and a talented young musician is sure to delight. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; from £12.75 (Jun 29)

Sun: Jacksons Lane 50th Birthday Party at Jacksons Lane, 269A Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Celebrate Jacksons Lane’s Golden Jubilee with live music, circus parades, pop-up performances, workshops, heritage trail, BBQ, listening studio, storytelling and plenty of surprises. All ages welcome. 11am-4pm; FREE but donations encouraged on the day (Jun 28)

We also like
World of Wasps launches at Grant Museum of Zoology in Euston (Thu-Sun, Jun 25-Jan 24); BST Hyde Park summer concerts open this weekend (from Fri Jun 27-Jul 13); it’s a wrap for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Natural History Museum (until Sun); last call to see Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo at Royal Academy (until Sun); the Dickens in Doughty St: 100 Years of the Charles Dickens Museum exhibition also closes this Sunday, however the Dickens Museum is always open for literary lovers (until Sun); and Comedy Club 4 Kids are tickling ribs aged 6+ at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park (Sun)

Booking Ahead 

• London Children’s Ballet presents Ella’s Big Chance: a Jazz Age Cinderella at Peacock Theatre, Holborn WC2 (Jul 4-6)
• Pride in London parade, Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place (Jul 5)
• Big Fish Little Fish Midsummer Daydream Family Rave at Horniman Museum Gardens (Jul 5)
• Big Fish Little Fish Outdoor Summer Family Rave at Museum of the Home, Hackney (Jul 6)
• Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross, N1C (Jul 9-Nov 2)
• Helios at Osterley Park and House, TW7 (Jun 6-10 & Jul 11-14)
• AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Jun 20, Jul 11, Oct 17, Nov 15 & Dec 6) 
• I Want My Hat Back trilogy at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Jul 9-Aug 10)
• Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace (Jul 12)
• Fly-Kid Family Raves at Pop Brixton (Jul 13, Aug 10, Sep 14, Oct 11, Nov 2, Dec 31)
• Gianni Versace Retrospective at Arches London Bridge (opens Jul 16)
• Sculpture in the City, around London (Jul 16-Spring 2026)
• Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, City of London (standby dates Jul 20 & 27)
• Kids Week: free child tickets for West End shows! (Jul 21-Aug 31)
• Kids Do Soho: Mario the Maker Magician at Underbelly Boulevard (Jul 26-27)
• Children’s Puppet Festival at Little Angel Theatre, N1 (Jul 28-Aug 31)
• Radiate Festival: Soca Republic at Clapham Grand (Aug 20)
• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at Sadler’s Wells, Angel (Aug 20-Sep 7)
• Public Night Voyage family sleepover on The Golden Hinde, SE1 (Aug 23)
• History of Hip Hop at Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre SE1 (Aug 25)
• Big Fish Little Fish Ultimate Family Rave at Fabric (Sep 28)
• How Does It Feel To Be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, W1 (Sep 28)
• Little M: A Reimagining of The Little Mermaid at The Place, WC1 (Oct 24-25)
• Paddington the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (official previews from Nov 1)
• Punchdrunk Enrichment World Premiere: Fireside Tales, Wembley Park (Dec 6-Jan 4)

**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**